There are now reports in the news that President Donald J. Trump plans to pardon his inner-family and the “extended one” as his leaving office in January 2021. These pardons might be given to his sons Eric Trump, Donald Trump Junior and his daughter Ivanka Trump. His also planning to give a pardon to his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The President has already given the extended powers within his office to former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Therefore, he can easily extend to others who has breached federal laws and clauses in office. There is several others that might be on the way. As there was plenty of associates who was a part of Trump Campaign 2016, which has been charged by the state for breaking the law. These could easily get pardons by the President too.
It would be easy to speculate that these gentlement might get a Presidential Pardon: Paul Manafort, Richard Gates, Stephen Bannon, Jeff Sessions, Carter Page, George Papadopolous, Roger Stone, Alexander Van Der Zwaan and Richard Pinedo. Nevertheless, his former personal lawyer who betrayed him. Michael Cohen will not be off the hook. However, the ones who has done his bidding. They might get off the hook and get a Presidential Pardon while he still can. That is anticipated, especially after the pardoning of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.
The big gist here… if these people needs a pardon. Then they are admitting guilt. Flynn already stated that he lied and that he didn’t file as a foreign agent. Lt. Gen. Flynn was getting paid by Turkey and not filing the necessary papers to be officially so. Therefore, he coordinated with a foreign power without informing the state. This is why a man like that shouldn’t become a National Security Advisor for the President in the first place.
This is why this here shows a pattern and what the Trump Presidency has done. The Office of the President and the White House. A White House that started with “lock her up” is now planning to “pardon my own kin and associates”. That is a real change of guard.
The Presidential Pardon gives clemency from Federal Prosecution, but cannot be invoked for state investigations or local investigations. Meaning, the Southern District of New York and the Attorney General of New York (Manhattan) can still prosecute and indict the Trump family members. All the other state attorneys and law enforcement can investigate the persons in question and charge them eventually for crimes. Therefore, the limitations of the pardon sets a standard for the future.
However, if the President gives these pardons to his family and inner-circle. The people who are receiving it is initially stating their guilt. That they did some crime(s) and criminal conspiracy of some kind. If they didn’t, why did they need a pardon in the first place?
If you are innocent and has nothing to hide. Then you don’t need a pardon. If your not a criminal or haven’t acted with criminal intent. Then there should be no reason to accept a pardon. Since, there is no reason for you to have it.
This is what should shatter the United States. The Trump Family and associates can go free. The peculiar thing will be how they portray it and the reasoning for accepting it. Since it sends a message that they know what they did and that they hope they can get away from possible prosecution.
A pardon is something you need if you have done the deed. If you need the clemency from a criminal charge, then your by default a felon. Which is lucky to be saved by the mercy of the ones offering the pardon and cleaning your criminal record. However, if you don’t have done a crime and haven’t had criminal intent. There shouldn’t be a need for one….
So, by default by giving this to his family and associates. It is a token and showing the world how they operated. Since, they all need a pardon to save themselves. A guilty plea by direct action of accepting the pardon. Initially stating their guilt for the world to see.
The ironic part is that the Presidential Pardon might not even save them. As the family members and associates might have to answer for crimes on the state level. This shows that there is little to gain here other than proving guilt by association. Peace.